Media 2019

The Story Behind Gatorland’s Brand New White Gator Swamp:  Home To The Largest Collection of Rare White Alligators In The U.S.  ORLANDO, Florida  –  Gatorland®, the "Alligator Capital of the World," opened its brand new White Gator Swamp this October, designed to meet the delicate needs of its two leucistic alligators, Feros Zombi and Trezos Je, and three albino alligators, Pearl, Moonshine and Cottontail. The park also welcomed the addition of three baby albino alligators this year, bringing the total number of Gatorland’s white gator residents to eight. “Because of their white coloration, white gators are extremely sensitive to direct sunlight and their new homes are designed to provide them with safe, filtered sunlight in natural exhibits complete with birds, fish, turtles and frogs,” explained Mark McHugh, President and CEO of Gatorland. “We are thrilled to be able to provide this very specialized home for [...]

Screamin’ Gator Zip Line at Gatorland Named Best Zipline In Orlando Weekly Annual Best Of Orlando Readers Poll ORLANDO, Florida (Sept. 11, 2019)  –  Gatorland®, the "Alligator Capital of the World," and its Screamin’ Gator Zip Line, have been named Best Zip Line in the Orlando Weekly 2019 Best Of Orlando® Readers Poll.  Gatorland was named runner up for Best Attraction That’s Not A Theme Park, as well. Screamin’ Gator, which has also been recognized as Best Zip Line In USA by AOL Travel, is a thrilling outdoor journey taking guests along 1,200 feet of high flying, heart pounding adventure with multilevel launch pads and breathtaking views from high above the treetops, soaring over Cuban and Nile Crocodiles and the Alligator Breeding Marsh with 130 alligators below. “We are so excited that our Screamin’ Gator Zipline continues to win awards and recognitions,” said Mark McHugh, [...]

Mark McHugh, President and CEO of Gatorland, Named One of 19 CEOs of the Year by The Orlando Business Journal ORLANDO, Florida – (May XX, 2019)  Mark McHugh, President and CEO of Gatorland®, the “Alligator Capital of the World”, was honored by The Orlando Business Journal on May 10 as one of 19 of Central Florida’s Top CEOs of Distinction at the annual recognition luncheon held this year at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress.  McHugh was the only CEO honored this year from the Central Florida travel and tourism industry. “This is a huge honor to be recognized among so many prominent CEOs in Orlando from so many important businesses and organizations in our community,” said McHugh.  “I am happy that by receiving this award, I represent the success of our local travel and tourism industry and Gatorland’s continued success, as we celebrate our 70th [...]

Gatorland Personalities Savannah, Bubba & Cooter Head Lineup For Oct. 3           Celebrity Lip Sync Battle Fundraiser At The Abbey, Downtown Orlando ORLANDO, Florida (Sept. 23, 2019)  –  Gatorland®, the "Alligator Capital of the World," is excited to announce it’s very own Savannah, Bubba & Cooter will participate in the Celebrity Lip Sync Battle fundraiser on Oct. 3 at The Abbey in Downtown Orlando, benefitting Opera del Sol and Central Florida Vocal Arts. The trio will join Central Florida television, radio and sports stars to battle it out in song. “We are so excited to support this great community event,” said Mark McHugh, President & CEO of Gatorland.  “We want everyone to come out and watch Savannah, Bubba and Cooter bring on the fun and bring the house down.” Opera del Sol is a breakout, immersive production company with a mission [...]

Holiday Shopping At Gatorland: No Park Admission Required 20% Off All Merchandise for Annual Pass Holders  Come See Our Amazing Sock Wall, Signature Swamp Juice, Hot-Selling Snakes and Alligators ORLANDO, Florida (Dec. 3, 2019)  –  Gatorland®, the "Alligator Capital of the World," isn’t just a great place to see alligators, crocodiles, reptiles and other amazing animals, it’s also holiday shopping central with its award-winning gift shop where of course there’s alligator themed gifts for all ages, and much more. Kids are king at Gatorland with popular plush alligators and crocodiles in every color and size, alligator hand puppets that look like the real thing, gator toys, chocolate alligators, and of course plush white alligators indicative of the park’s new White Gator Swamp, home to the largest collection of rare leucistic and albino alligators in the U.S. There’s something for everyone with 70s, retro style Gatorland [...]

Gatorland Partners with WESH 2 Share Your Christmas Food Drive Live Drop Off Location Scheduled for December 12th, Donations Accepted Now ORLANDO, Florida Dec. 2, 2019)  –  Gatorland®, the "Alligator Capital of the World," is proud to announce it has partnered again with WESH 2 News for the 34rd Annual Share Your Christmas Food Drive benefiting the Second Harvest Food Bank.  On Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019, between 6 a.m. and 1 p.m., the public is invited to stop by to drop off their food donations while WESH 2 TV News anchors broadcast live on location and do meet and greets until Gatorland makes its big check presentation to Second Harvest Food Bank live during the noon newscast. Since 2014, Gatorland has collected more than 19,500 pounds of food and donated more than $43,173 to the Second Harvest Food Bank.  Gatorland is challenging all local businesses [...]

Gatorland Welcomes Its Very First Baby Emu ORLANDO, Florida (March 8, 2019)  –  Gatorland®, “The Alligator Capital of the World,” is pleased to announce the arrival of Beeper, its very first baby emu born at the park just one week ago. “We are thrilled to have our very first baby emu born here at Gatorland.  We will know in a few weeks when we do bloodwork if our baby is a boy or girl,” said Danielle Lucas, Gatorland’s Animal Care Director.  According to Lucas, Beeper weighs 391 grams, eats leafy greens and emu starter pellets, and is expected to be full grown in just six months since emus grow very quickly.  Beeper will begin to be in public view in the park in a couple more weeks. Gatorland acquired seven emus in 2008. This is the first time they have had eggs and a baby [...]

   Gatorland Trainer-For-A-Day Program Does It All       Up Close Animal Education, Interaction and Even A Part In A Gatorland Show ORLANDO, Florida  –   Just when you think you have seen it all and done it all at Gatorland®, the “Alligator Capital of the World” offers one all-encompassing specialized experience for guests to be up close and personal with alligators, crocodiles, reptiles and creepy crawlers to touch them, hold them and do what the trainers do.  The Trainer-For-A-Day program takes participants backstage for in-depth details on how the Gatorland trainers work with the animals, interact with them, and care for them. It’s a hands-on opportunity like no other.  And the grand finale is working with a Gatorland Trainer!  For a limited time, cost is $129.99 plus tax, which includes Gatorland admission. Perfect for a special gift or celebration.  Participants must be 12 [...]

           Gatorland’s Gators, Ghosts And Goblins, Spooky Fun For Everyone            First Annual Halloween Event Takes Place Oct. 19, 20, 26, 27 and 31, 2019                             Park’s Halloween Event To Feature Themed Areas, Actors,                       Vendors, Selfie Zones and “Frank & Stein’s” Octoberfest Pavilion ORLANDO, Florida –  Gatorland®, the "Alligator Capital of the World," is getting ready for Halloween with a special event that includes spooky fun for everyone. Gatorland’s “Gators, Ghosts and Goblins” will take place Oct. 19, 20, 26, 27 and 31, 2019. Included with the regular price of park admission will be several spooky themed areas throughout the park, complete with ghoulish actors and selfie zones, fun shows, a variety of [...]

Gatorland Opens Largest Breeding Facility For White Gators In The World  Gatorland®, the Alligator Capital of the World, celebrating its 70th Anniversary this year, has opened the largest breeding facility for white alligators in the world!  Three huge natural exhibits with filtered sunlight feature two male leucistic alligators (Feros Zombi and Trezos Je), one male albino alligator (Pearl) and two female albino alligators (Moonshine and Cottontail).  Today, Gatorland’s leucistic and albino alligators were released into the brand-new White Gator Swamp, designed to meet the delicate needs of white alligators. Because of their white coloration, white gators are extremely sensitive to direct sunlight, and the new white gator swamp is designed to provide them with safe, filtered sunlight in natural exhibits with birds, fish, turtles and frogs. By placing Feros, Trezos and Pearl with female alligators that carry the same genes that create leucism and albinism, Gatorland’s [...]