Mouse Chat Steve, Bob, Chris and Lisa, take a Griswold Family Vacation to Gatorland in Orlando FL.
Come with us on our tour of Original Florida attractions.
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This week we loaded everyone up into the Griswold Family Vacation Truckster and headed over to Gatorland. Gatorland is the original attraction that opened in Orlando Florida in 1949, well before Disney World, Sea World, Universal Studios, etc.
We met up with Mike Hileman, the Director of Entertainment and Adventures Programs at Gatorland and spent a day touring the over 110 acre park. There is so much more here that I imagined. For some reason I thought we would see some gators, take a few photos and that was all Gatorland would have to offer, but it’s massive and thankfully, considering it was the middle of July, it has large covered walkways around the majority of the park which keeps you in the shade and also out of the rain.
Gatorland has attractions for the entire family, from shows, exhibits, nature trails and boardwalks into the marsh, petting zoos, and a large water play area so the kids can cool off. There is a Gatorland express train and for those that want more adventure, you can also zip line over the gators. Yeah we passed on that one, but it looked like fun.
Want to see a crowd of gators up close? You can feed them. Turkey Franks are available for sale–yes, they eat turkey hotdogs instead of pork, for a balanced diet.
The price for park admission is very reasonable. For $25 you get a full days admission at Gatorland and you can easily make this a full day just by following the Gatorland show schedule.
You can get amazing photo-ops at Gatorland. The gators are not harmed in any way and most are out in a massive natural breeding marsh area with birds, deer, and all sorts of wildlife that have come to the area to call it home. The white alligators are in large enclosures and must be kept inside to keep them out of the sun. They would not survive in the wild due to the pigmentation of their skin.
The park is an easy drive from the other Orlando attractions and has two large parking lots with an overflow lots. I had no idea how popular Gatorland was. The parking lot was jammed packed when we arrive right at lunch time on a Sunday. Even with the parking lot filled that park is so large that you feel like you have it almost all to yourself as you walk the boardwalk and encounter the wildlife.
Feed the gators at Gatrorland. They eat turkey hotdogs.
Gator Wrestling is done to remove gators from farmer pastors. Gators dig holes that fill with water and when the cattle comes up for a drink the gator has lunch. So gator are relocated by hand using these techniques
A white gator kept out of the sun so he can survive at Gatorland
Amber gets to hold a baby gator at gatorland
Learning about the gators at Gatorland with Mike and the MouseChat.net crew
baby gators at Gatorland up close with MouseChat.net Lisa Griswold
MouseChat.net explores the original FL attraction, Gatorland
MouseChat goes to Gatorland in the Griswold Family Truckster.
Mouse Chat goes to Gatorland in the Griswold Family Truckster. Steve, Bob, Chris and Lisa. Lauren was still on a flight still to Orlando.
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Join Us for the First Ever Mouse Chat Disney World Meet up!
Mouse Chat is turning three and we would love to celebrate with everyone.
We have our first ever Disney World Mouse Chat Fan meet up and you are invited.
Friday the 13th is Disney Villain’s Day so we will be attending those Limited Time Magic events I am sure. We also have a VIP Private Fantasmic Dessert Party planned on Friday the 13th. Keep reading, here is now to save some money on your stay and also here are the events we have planned.
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We have reserved rooms at Disney World at a discounted rate for everyone. WOW ONLY $226.17 a Night at the Beach Club!!
We have Discounted Rooms at Disney’s Beach Club Resort. At $226.17 a night plus tax. This also can be booked as a Disney Vacation Package (Discounted Room, Discounted Park Tickets, Disney Dining Plan and a FREE Disney Water Park ticket OR DisneyQuest ticket, one per person in your party.) We can also get you a room at a Disney Value or Moderate Resort. Just let us know what you want and we will get you a quote. Please let us know on the quote request form that you are interested in the Mouse Chat Fan Meet.
Note: You need to book the package offer (Room and Park Tickets) with at least two days of Disney Park Tickets to get the Free Disney Water Park OR DisneyQuest ticket.
Booking Window: Now – August, 12, 2013
Travel Window: September 12 – 15, 2013
(Contact Pixie Vacations if you would like to stay longer, special rates based on availability)
We will have MouseChat events on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Get a Quote Now for the MouseChat Villain’s Weekend Offer
Or Call Pixie Vacations at: 678-815-1584
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Come join us for some fun.
Private VIP Fantasmic Dessert Party at Disney Hollywood Studios
Start off the witching hours on Friday the 13th from 8:30 – 9:30 PM for a private viewing area at Disney’s Fantasmic. We have a Private Dessert Party filled with scrumptious desserts for you to enjoy while watching Disney’s Fantasmic. Continue the night with Disney’s Limited Time Magic at Disney Hollywood Studios with a Special Villain treat and the park staying open until the Witching Hour (13th hour 1 AM)
We can only hold a limited number of fans for this event so please RSVP today. Once these are gone they are gone.
When: Sept. 13 (Friday the 13th) at Disney Hollywood Studios (Fantasmic Private VIP viewing area – “Small Fantasmic Patio”) 8:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Cost: $39 per person* (adult or children)
*Disney Park Admission is required and not included in the event price.
Tickets will not be sold at the event.
Walt Disney World Scavenger Hunt with an extra treat (SOLD OUT)
On Saturday, September 14 be sure to join us for the Mouse Chat Magic Kingdom Scavenger Hunt. This is a Free event.
When and Where: Sept. 14, 2013 at the Magic Kingdom Hub Area (This is the area in the center of the park close to the Walt status)
TIME: 11 AM
Cost: FREE
How to book: (SOLD OUT)
*Disney Park Admission is required and not included
Dine Around the World with Mouse Chat
On Sunday Sept 15 we will be sampling food around EPCOT World Showcase. If you want to hang out with us you are welcome to.
When and Where: Sept. 15, 2013 at EPCOT on the steps of Mexico.
Cost: FREE
How to book:
Disney World Restaurant Reviews – Walt Disney World Resort, Artist Point, Citricos, Be Our Guest For lunch.
We have several popular Disney World Dining reviews this week.
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Artist Point Review
Disney’s Grand Floridian Beach Resort Citricos Chefs Domain
Magic Kingdoms Be Our Guest for Lunch
*Disney Park Admission is required and not included
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